Alissa Pili Honors Her Heritage in a Black Dress With Tribal Print Skirt for the WNBA Draft

Alissa Pili made a statement with her look at the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday night. The former Utah Utes college basketball player was selected to join the Minnesota Lynx during the draft, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York.

For the occasion, Pili fashioned a one-shoulder black dress with a long sleeve and a skirt with gold tribal print and a high slit. The slit detail of the dress opened such that Pili’s tattoos on her leg were on full display. The athlete tossed her hair up in a bun for the evening’s event.

More from WWD

• Worst Dressed at Coachella 2024

• The Best Dressed Athletes at the WNBA Draft: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and More

• Ivy Getty Through the Years: The Style Evolution of an Heiress

Pili fashioned sandal-style heels to top off her look and accessorized with minimal jewelry, save for a pair of hoop earrings and a delicate glittering necklace. Pili’s look perfectly accentuated her tattoos, and featured an even deeper meaning that meant a lot to the athlete.

The Alaska native, who is also of Samoan-American heritage, chose a look that paid homage to her heritage. “A lot of Indigenous and Polynesian girls don’t get to see that role model and I’m just so blessed to be in the position to be that for them,” Pili said when she took the stage during the official proceedings of the WNBA draft. “I’m representing them with pride, I had to include the tribal in my dress,” she said.

Other highlights from the arrival carpet of the WNBA Draft included Caitlin Clark’s Prada look, which featured a double satin shirt and skirt, embroidered rhinestone mesh top, black brushed leather slingback pumps, black Galleria handbag, and acetate sunglasses, and Angel Reese in a backless number courtesy of New York label Bronx and Banco.

The 2024 WNBA draft was held on Monday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Following the 2023-24 NCAA Division I women’s basketball season, 12 teams across the United States selected picks from colleges like the University of Iowa, UCLA and Stanford.

WNBA Draft 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese & More

Launch Gallery: WNBA Draft 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese & More

Best of WWD

• Lauren Sanchez’s Style Through the Years: An Evolution of Sensual Power Dressing, Photos

• Ivy Getty Through the Years: The Style Evolution of an Heiress

• Ivy Getty Style Through the Years [PHOTOS]